Genelia Deshmukh on comeback with Junior: Telugu cinema gave me everything in life

Junior marks Genelia Deshmukh's return to Telugu cinema after a gap of 13 years. She talks to us about her role, changes in Telugu cinema, dream roles, and leaving the industry at the peak of her career. Here is the transcript:

What made you say yes to a Telugu film after such a long time?

Junior came to me three years ago, and honestly, I was not at all interested in acting. The makers kept approaching me time and again, and my husband, Ritesh, said I should at least listen to the story out of respect. The moment I started listening to the narration, my character and the entire setup drew me in, and I said yes to the film without a second thought.

About your character in Junior?

I play a modern woman who stands by her values and has a unique past. Though I cannot reveal too much, I’ve never done such a role before, and everyone will be surprised to see me in this new avatar. It’s the perfect comeback for me in Telugu cinema, and this character in Junior is exactly what I was looking for.

Working with the likes of Kireeti Reddy, the young debutant?

For me, working with young actors is always fun. They bring renewed energy to the sets. Kireeti is a trained actor, and it shows in his dances and fight scenes. It’s his dream to be in films, and he came well-prepared. We have a few very emotional scenes in the second half, and the young boy has done really well.

What’s your take on young heroines like Sreeleela?

She’s a fab actor, dancer, and performer. It’s rare to see all those qualities in one person, and Sreeleela has delivered time and again. She’s definitely one to watch out for in the days to come. I had a lovely time shooting with her for Junior.

About the hit music of Junior?

DSP is a legend and has been around for a long time. He gave me my career’s biggest hit, Bommarillu, and even now, he’s consistently delivering hit after hit in Telugu cinema. His music for Junior is one of the film’s biggest assets—Devi has absolutely nailed it.

You left Telugu cinema at the peak of your career. Any regrets?

Not at all. I’ve been working from a very young age and have acted alongside all the top stars. Everything happens for a reason, and I chose to step away at the right time. Now that the situation and timing are right, I’m back. I have no complaints about my career.

How does it feel to see Telugu cinema go places?

I’m filled with pride. Telugu cinema gave me everything in life. The way content is being created here now fills my heart with pride. My co-stars—Jr NTR, Ram Charan, and Allu Arjun—are all megastars and have gone global. I’m so happy to see Tollywood going places.

Do you have any dream roles left to play?

I’ve done so many films and played multiple characters. Now that I’ve started my second innings, I’m open to doing any kind of role. The character just needs to stand out, even if it’s a cameo. I’m totally game for challenging roles now.

Finally, why should we watch Junior?

From the promos, you might feel it’s just a regular commercial entertainer. But the college episode ends within the first half-hour, and then a gripping family drama takes over that will hold your attention till the end. As the entire film revolves around my character, I’m even more excited to see how the audience reacts to my comeback.